The Lakers decided to pick up Dalton Knecht’s $4.2 million team option for 2026-27 last October, assuming at the very least they would be able to trade him. After trying for a year, they obviously found no takers and now will keep his dead money on their books for the upcoming season if he is not claimed on waivers (he won’t be). Poor asset management has become a theme for this front office over the years.